This forum is for NSS Archives only. Images posted to this forum are from the archives. The NSS would like Cavechat user input on the history of certain items in the archives and will request that info in this forum.

Schoolhouse Cave, for those people who don't know, is located in Germany Valley, Pendleton County, West Virginia. It is formed in carbonates of the Black River Group, which are of Ordovician age. The cave was at one time called the most-difficult cave in the United States (because it has 15 or so vertical drops), and is certainly one of the caves where the NSS has the most history. The NSS Photo Library is made up of photos that are about 60% from Schoolhouse, and those old-timers knew how to take some durn good pictures.

The cave has been closed (year round), gated, and fenced for more than a decade because of endangered (and federally protected) Virginia big-eared bats.

Schoolhouse was originally closed by the landowner because of rude visitors, vandalism, and -to top it all-- a group of cavers fron NC entered without permission, had to be rescued, and then sued the landowner.

In the '60s there was a B&W movie made about the descent of Schoolhouse cave (don't know if it was 8mm or 16mm). I remember seeing this at a Pittsburgh Grotto meeting some time around 1967-68. I would like to know if the Schoolhouse movie still exists and if there are any plans to put this onto DVD, or any other 'shareable' format.

It certainly is! A couple years ago the Germany Valley Karst Survey did a resurvey of Schoolhouse and took photographs from the same vantage point as some of Culverwell's drawings. Looking at them side by side you can see the accuracy and detail of Culverwell's drawings which is truly impressive.

jharman2 wrote:I have a copy of the SHC video on VHS. I'm not sure if there are any copyrights on it. If not, I would be glad to get it converted to digital format.

John, I don't know if cavers were worried too much about copyrights back then. Are you sure we're on the same page about the movie? One scene shows someone body-rappelling and reaching the bottom "up in smoke." This movie is a classic. I'm sure someone from the NSS would give permission to convert it to DVD for preservation purposes, if it hasn't already been done.

Bruce Kirchner wrote:Are you sure we're on the same page about the movie? One scene shows someone body-rappelling and reaching the bottom "up in smoke."

It has been several years since I watched the movie. It was given to me by the late landowner of SHC who said the videographers installed electric in the cave to provide lighting for the video. I believe he received it from the Pittsburgh Grotto. It is in black and white and had a significant comedic component. At any rate even if it isn't the video you are thinking of it would be very nice to have it digitized.

Bruce Kirchner wrote:In the '60s there was a B&W movie made about the descent of Schoolhouse cave (don't know if it was 8mm or 16mm). I remember seeing this at a Pittsburgh Grotto meeting some time around 1967-68. I would like to know if the Schoolhouse movie still exists and if there are any plans to put this onto DVD, or any other 'shareable' format.

Bruce,

AIRC it was 1956. Roswell Jones converted it to DVD but never finished the titles. I know that he had two of the three film copies and that they were in bad shape. I've been trying to get a copy from him for years. This is a priceless treasure that I would hate to see lost, but right now I am afraid that it will be.

gdstorrick wrote:AIRC it was 1956. Roswell Jones converted it to DVD but never finished the titles. I know that he had two of the three film copies and that they were in bad shape. I've been trying to get a copy from him for years. This is a priceless treasure that I would hate to see lost, but right now I am afraid that it will be.Pittsburgh Grotto

Gary, I hope you're not right about that. I'm surprised that film never made it to the NSS vaults. Any way to get into contact with Jonesy, or is he out and about most of the time? It would have been a hoot to record comments from the old Grotto meetings and record them as the soundtrack. The Pittsburgh Grotto was ruthless in our humor back in the day.

Wow, everybody's right -- this film needs to be in the NSS Archives!! And available to members! I'm sure the cavers who shot it were not worried about copyright and would want us to share it.

John Harman, if you have the ability to do a good digitization of the VHS, please do so and send me a copy. If not, please send the VHS (insured!) to Dave Socky (address in the MM), Chair of the A/V Library; he can digitize it professionally, clean it up, and create a snazzy DVD to circulate in the library.

I found the VHS and watched it. It is quite funny and is really a great film. I agree, it MUST be preserved. I have a friend who can digitize it but if Dave has more experience I can send it to him. I would actually like to get some DVD copies and give them to the Schoolhouse landowners.

I have a friend who can digitize it but if Dave has more experience I can send it to him. I would actually like to get some DVD copies and give them to the Schoolhouse landowners.

By all means, send it to Dave. That's the shortest distance between two points. Dave can digitize the tape, and create a DVD with an explanatory front end and imprinted as a Library title, saving multiple steps along the way. He'll be happy to provide copies for you and the landowners.

I have a friend who can digitize it but if Dave has more experience I can send it to him. I would actually like to get some DVD copies and give them to the Schoolhouse landowners.

By all means, send it to Dave. That's the shortest distance between two points. Dave can digitize the tape, and create a DVD with an explanatory front end and imprinted as a Library title, saving multiple steps along the way. He'll be happy to provide copies for you and the landowners.

Is there any update to this? I heard it thru the 'vine' that DVD copies have been given to the NSS. Is this true?